Total pages in book: 29
Estimated words: 27826 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 139(@200wpm)___ 111(@250wpm)___ 93(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27826 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 139(@200wpm)___ 111(@250wpm)___ 93(@300wpm)
I don’t answer the question.
“Why was he here?”
Angela shrugs.
“I think he wanted to pick up some of his things, and drop off some of the things I’d left at his place. Oh, and the key. He said he left our key on the table for me. There it is,” she says, pointing to a key on the kitchen counter. “That’s all he was doing.”
Oh my god, oh my god. Is this really happening? No. It can’t be. But then again, Angela said it: she and Hunter are no longer an item.
My heart races and swallowing hard, I force the lump in my throat down. All the guilt and pain I’d felt before dissolves magically as I watch Angela pick up her phone.
“Hi, Duane?” she purrs. Then she strolls into her room, and the door shuts with a click.
For the first time in twenty-four hours, I feel free. Relief washes over my frame, and joy sweeps me off my feet as I rise and pick up my plate to take it to the sink.
I didn’t steal Hunter. He’s free to be with whomever he wants. This is perfect.
My eyes dart to Angela’s room as loud cooing noises and smacking sounds seep through the door. Whatever. It isn’t my business anymore.
Hunter is free to date me!
A smile kissed my lips as I brushed my fingertips over my mouth. Thoughts of him flowed to the front of my mind as my heart fluttered. Hope filled me as I ran to my room and launched myself onto the mattress. The bed squealed under my weight, but I didn’t care. My cell phone felt like a hot iron in my back pocket as I contemplate calling him.
So, Hunter, do you want to go to dinner?
So, Hunter, do you want a repeat of last night?
So, Hunter, do you like how that feels?
My fingers twitch and my palms grow sweaty as I pull the phone out of my pocket. Staring at the black screen sends hot shivers coursing through me.
But then, reality strikes.
“Maybe I should let him call me, instead of me calling him,” I mumble. “Do I seem desperate?”
Suddenly, a wave of insecurity makes me fall to my bed. Hell, I don’t even have Hunter’s number. Last night was so unexpected that we forgot to exchange contact information.
The phone drops lifelessly from my hand. Sure, Hunter and I made love last night. Sure, he’s not my sister’s boyfriend anymore. But it sounds like he’s already left for the NFL. So where does that leave me now?
This has all been a huge mistake. He probably isn’t thinking about me at all. Last night was just a good time in the sack for a single man. Why not, if the girl is willing? This is Hunter Brody, pro football player, and I’m just… me.
8
Catherine
“Well, what do you think it means?” I ask. Glancing over my shoulder, I stared at Corinne, praying she would have the answers I needed.
“Honestly,” Corinne said, shrugging. “I’m not a dream expert. Are you sure you aren’t over thinking things like you always do?”
“Corinne, it’s been two months. I haven’t heard a word from Hunter,” I said, dropping my gaze. “That seems bad, right?”
Corrie nodded slowly.
“It is bad, Catherine, and I’m so sorry to be the one to tell you this. You have got to stop holding a candle for him. He’s gone sweetheart. I’m really sorry.”
“Well, he could be busy,” I say hopefully.
“He’s definitely busy,” Corrie replies. “But girlfriend, you have got to get a grip. Hunter hasn’t called you, texted you, emailed you, or otherwise reached out to you in any way since leaving Mesa. He’s not coming back, Catherine.”
I sigh, looking down at my feet. I guess I’d been hoping these past two months that Hunter would contact me, but he hasn’t. Ever since he left town, it’s been total radio silence. I thought our lovemaking was incredibly hot, but maybe he thought it was just mediocre. I thought we had a connection, but maybe I was just a roll in the hay for the handsome quarterback.
“Do you think I’ve blown this whole thing out of proportion?” I ask my best friend.
“Girl, you have definitely blown this out of proportion,” Corrie agrees. “I mean, what did you have together? A hot night where he took your v-card, right?”
I blush.
“Yeah, but it was really amazing, and he was really into it too.”
Corrie rolls her eyes.
“Catherine, you have no idea how the world works. He was probably really nice about it because that’s how you treat virgins. Everyone knows you have to be careful. You can’t just tromp on their feelings because their hearts will break into smithereens.”
I take a deep breath, my stomach hurting a bit.
“Okay, okay, so Hunter’s not coming back,” I say in defeated voice. But then I look up brightly. “Or I could call him. I mean, that is if I knew how to reach him.”